New guy checking in

[Matt13C]

My name is Matt. I started my flight training 2 months ago and have been loving every second of it.

I just wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to give honest helpful advice. I spent a lot of time reading threads on this forum and have had many of my questions answered.

I am sort of starting a second career at 27. I finished school and did what was "expected" and got an office job using my degree. It was the LONGEST year and a half of my life. I would look around at people in my office and others walking around the office complex and everyone had the same look on their face, misery.

I always loved everything about aviation and always wanted to get my PPL. A few months ago I started working towards my private to see if I liked it and I was hooked. I recently decided this is what I want to do for a living. I do not care that the money sucks in the beginning, potentially throughout, there are more important things in life, my sanity for one.

I am currently debating sticking with the FBO route or going to a fast track program. I am more leaning to sticking with the FBO. I love to fly and want to enjoy every second of it. I feel like compressing 1 to 2 years of learning down to 90 days will hurt your knowledge retention.

Anyway, thanks for all the great advice. As I gain experience I hope to pass on my knowledge to help new comers as you all have helped me.

[mooneyguy]

Hello, Weclome to JC, its good to have you here!

[coa787]

Welcome!

[Wing_96]

Welcome to JC!

I don't think there is a need to get all your ratings in 4 months, or whatever the big academies promise. There will always be flying jobs. Plus, my personal preference was to pay as I went. I'm not a big fan of being $50,000 - $60,000 in debt unless it's to buy a house. But again, that's my personal preference.

Good luck with your training!

[Matt13C]

Thanks! This is by far the best aviation forum I have found. I found a few others and they came off very negative, as if all those who had been dealt a bad hand coalesced in one place and were hell bent on crushing dreams. I know aviation is a job and like any other and has things that are not fun. This forum is much more what I was expecting. Everyone here seems to be in this career for the love not the money.

Originally Posted by Wing_96

Welcome to JC!

I don't think there is a need to get all your ratings in 4 months, or whatever the big academies promise. There will always be flying jobs. Plus, my personal preference was to pay as I went. I'm not a big fan of being $50,000 - $60,000 in debt unless it's to buy a house. But again, that's my personal preference.

Good luck with your training!

Thanks again. I am the same way, I try to avoid debt as much as possible. I was considering them because I would like to get into the career as soon as possible. However, I really enjoy my flight instructors, two seasoned pilots who love to teach and teach well, and I think the knowledge then can pass on will make me a more confident competent pilot.